Photographic printing apparatus



Sept- 13, V1938. w. c. HUEBNER 2,129,768

' PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 13. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fllcnl- EIM/W Sept 13, 1938 w. c. HUEBNz-:R 2,129,768

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUR W'f//lb/rf C. Hac/mr El M Sept. 13, 1938. w. c. HUEBNER PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E ww m Qw ww INVENTDR W//l'am Haai/ny BWM/M ATTUHNEY Sept 13, 1938 w. c. HUEBNER A 2,129,768

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 13. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 www ATTO FIN EY Sept. 13, 1938. l w HUEBNER `2,129,768

PHOTOGRAPHIE PRINTIN?? APPARATUS Filed Nov. 15. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ggf INVENToR Patented/'sept 13, 193s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHoToGRAPmc PRiN'rINo. APPARATUS william c. Huebner, New York, N. Y. Application November 13,1936, serial No. 110,656v

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in photographic printing apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple, rugged and efficient apparatus for.

making photographic impressions under vacuum on sensitized press plates and the like, the apparatus being characterized by the fact that the necessary manipulative steps may be performed more easily and rapidly and with assured better results than-prior devices intended for similar purposes.v l

Another object of the invention is to provide a photographic printing apparatus so constructed and arranged that, in conjunction with coordinated register/chases, the same maybe utilized in combining type and half tone negatives or positives on oifset press plates by separate exposures without the usual costly stripping .and combining of negatives; in obtaining step and repeat exposures with unusual speed; and in preparing color separation plates with perfect register.

Other and more specific objects of the invention are: to provide an apparatus of the character indicated in the preceding which may also be utilized in preparing lay-outs; to so'arrange the partsv that the holding frames for the printing and sensitized elements areindividuallyadjustable i to convenient horizontal work positions for inserting and removing said elements; and to so arranged the construction that either holding frame may be brought down over the other and the vacuum applied to maintain the contact and relative positions of the printing and sensitized elements prior to and during the movement thereof to exposure position, thus adapting the apparatus for a wide range of work with either glass or iilm printing elements.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure E 1 is -a front elevational view of a photographic printing apparatus embodying the improvements showing the parts imposition readyor making an exposure. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 11 Figui-e3 isa side elevational view of the printing apparatus proper, showing the open or work position of the printing element and sensitized element-holding frames, the lighting apparatus of Figure 2 being omitted. Figure 41is a transverse sectional view, upon an enlarged scale, showing details of construction of the twov holding frames, the frames being shown in their open or work position. Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the two frames in theirvertical, face to face or operative positions. Figure 6 is a top plan view of the printing element-holding frame, shown detached from the `support and hinge butts 'and with a film-holding chase in register position therewith, parts beingbroken away and parts being shown in section, to more clearly illustrate the details of construction. Figure rI is an edge elevational view of thestructure shown in Figure 6.

o Figure 8 is a detail sectional view, upon anenllarged scale, corresponding substantially to the line 8 8 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is a top plan View, similar to Figure 6, on a smaller scale, but with the film-holding chase removed 'and with a layout sheet thereon in conjunction with associated T squares to illustrate the manner of laying out 'a layout sheet. Figures 10 and 11 are detail views, upon enlarged scales and at right angles to each other, illustrating certain features of construction of a cutter or trimmer attachment utilizable with the T squares in preparing a nlm. Figure 12 is a similar view to Figure 9 with the T squares and attached cutters removed and showing the manner of preparing a layout sheet for repeated use. Figures 9 and 12 are also illustrative of la rcoordinated layout table that may be used supplementary to the photographic printing element. And Figures 13 and 14 are detail sectional views, corresponding substantially to the line M-Il of Figure 12, illustrating two conditions of the means for perforating and retaining a ylayout 'sheet in registered position on the printing element holding frame. y f

In said drawings, the apparatus is shown asr preferably comprising a vertical support having spaced tubular uprights 20-20 connected by a top cross-'brace 2l' and bottom cross braces' 22 and"I 23'a1l supported on-base standards 2li- 24, thus providing a rectangular open framework forreception and manipulation of the holding frames hereinafter described. For convenience, there is preferably permanently associated with the printing apparatus proper, an arc light indicated conventionally at 25, which is supported on a vertically adjustable standard 26 having a'roller castor base 2l, said' arc light standard being adjustably connected ,to the main supporting rframework by a bar 28 pivotally connected with one of the uprights 20. With this construction, it is evident that the arc light may bebrcught into desired position in front of the printing apparatus proper or swung to one side when an exposure is not being made.

In carrying ont the invention, the main support is provided with anintermediate, horizontally extending hinge bar 29 on which are pivotally mounted the printing element-holding frame designated generally by the reference A and the sensitized element-holding frame, designated generally by the reference character B. Said two frames are hingedly connected to said bar 29 by hinge butts 30 and 3| respectively, and which are so designed and positioned that the two frames may be swung downwardly on opposite sides of the main support to horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3, or to vertical position, as shown in Figure 1. For supporting the frames A and B in their horizontal work positions, suitably jointed link connections 32 and 33 are provided at each side, the terminals of the links being pivotally connected to the uprights and the frames respectively, as indicated at 34, 35 and 36. To retain each of the frames A and B in vertical operative position,v each of said frames is preferably provided at each side thereof with a recessed plate 31 with 4which are adapted to cooperate spring influenced locking bolts 38, horizontally positioned in blocks 39 carried by the support uprights 20. With this construction, it is evident that by withdrawing the locking bolts 38, the frames may be individually released and by letting them in, the frames may be locked in vertical position and in face to face relation. 'The two frames A and B may also be securely locked together when an exposure is to be made, as by the pivoted clamps 39' carried by one of the frames and which are adapted to cooperate with lugs 40 carried by the other frame at the tops thereof. As will be apparent, the hinged mountingof the frames A and B is such that the two frames will always keep the same positions relative to each other when the same are locked together.

Referring now more particularly to the printing element-holding frame A, as best shown in Figures 4, 6, '1 and 8. Saidframe A preferably comprises a relatively light casting of rectangular outline with a large central light passage opening 4I over which is permanently positioned a transparent pressure glass backing wall 42. Surrounding the glass backing wall 42 is an upstanding rib 43 which, on at least two sides of the opening 4I has fixed thereon a straight edge 44 provided on its upper surface with suitable scale marks 45 so that said two straight edges 44 may be used in conjunction with a T square such as indicated in Figure 9 at l415 for the purpose of making a layout on a layout sheet, as hereinafter described.

Around the rib 43, the casting o1 the frame A is provided with a relatively wide horizontal shelf or ledge 41 on which is adapted to be seated the chase indicated generally by the reference character C, more particularly described hereinafter. Saidshelf or ledge 41, as clearly shown in Figure 8, is depressed below the level of the supporting surface provided by the backing wall 42. an amount corresponding to the thickness of the film chase C intended to be used therein so that the film carried by the chase will lie against the surface or backing wall 42. 0n opposite sides, as best shown in Figures 6 and 8, the Vframe A is provided with register devices, preferably in the form of dowel pins 48-48 which are definitely coordinated with the travel lines of a photo composing machine and with the corresponding coordinated register devices of the ilm frame C in the form of dowel pin openings 45.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 9,

alzarse 12, 13 and 14, the frame A, preferably near diagonally disposed corners thereof, is provided with jigs 50 carried by bolts 5I vertically loosely mounted in the frame, said bolts 5I carrying at their lower ends beneath the frame, nuts 52. The jigs 50 are provided with guide holes 5l so located that, when the jigs are in the position shown in Figure 13, said guide holes 5l are brought over corresponding holes 54 in the frame and in which position, the jig may be securely locked by tightening up the nut 52. With this construction, when a layout sheet such as indicated at 55 is laid over the surface of the frame A, the sheet may be drilled or punched and thereafter detachably and removably held in registered position on the holding frame as by pins 56. When not in use, the jigs are in retracted position in recesses 51. as shown in Figure 14, in which retracted position they may be retained by screwing up the nuts 52 as shown.

As will be evident from the foregoing, whenever it is desired to employ a layout sheet a number of different times, as for instance when making multi-color prints, as hereinafter described, the layout sheet may be replaced on the frame A always in the same definite registered position.

Referring now more particularly to the sensitized element-holding frame B, as best illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, said frame also` preferably consists of a relatively light metal rectangular casting 5B with a large central opening 52. Extending over the opening 59 and secured around its edges to the casting 58, is a flexible or yieldable backing wall 60, preferably of moderately thick rubber, the same being formedwith an upstanding air sealing rib 8l therearound just outside the edge of the opening 59. Said rib 6i is also so located, that when the two frames A and B are brought to vertical face to face position, as shown in Figure 5, said rib will bear against the frame of the film holder C so as to insure a firm backing for the sealingA rib 6i and in tum insure an air sealed area within the rib 5I.

Over the opening 58 on the bottom or outer side of the frame B is secured a plate l2 as by the screws 53'. To provide a proper support for the sheet rubber backing 60, the latter has secured thereto on its outer side a rigid Plate between which and the plate 82 are interposed a plurality of coiled springs 64, thus providing a cushioned yieldable backing for the wall il and preventing collapse or undue distortion thereof, while at the same time providing for the necessary fiexibility to insure pressure contact between the sensitized element such as a press plate indicated at and the printing element or illm 66, when the exposure is being made. The sensitized element or press plate 65 will be retained in position on its supporting backing Il of the frame B by any suitable means, as for instance by taping the same down.

To enable a vacuum to be created within the space sealed ofi by the sealing rib 5|, the supporting backing wall of the frame B is provided with an exhaust outlet 61 which extends through a suitable opening 68 in the plate 62 and is connected by flexible hose 69 to the control valve 10 mounted on one of the uprights 2U. From the control valve 10 extends another tube 1I to the vacuum pump 12 mounted on a cross board 1I carried by the base standards 24.

The improved photographic printing apparatus proper, is adapted to be used in conjunction with a film-holding register chase C that preferably is` of the character shown and claimed in my prior Patent No. 1,860,389, granted May:l

31, 1932. ySaid chase,4briefly, comprises a relaand from the'centerof the chase, alight sheet metal bar 15of elongated vU cross section. Carl ried by each of the bars 15 on the `interior thereof vis a wood strip v1G, the metal barbeing provided with a series of perforationsll'l therealong so lthat an acetate lm 18 may be tacked to each of the bars along its several edges as by the tacks 19. The wood fillers 16 are wedge shaped at their ends, as indicated at .and cooperable therewith, 'at each end, are adjusting wedges lli-8l adapted to be shifted longitudinally by adjusting screws 82-82 threaded in corner extensions of the frame 1Q. With the construction described, it is evident that the lm 18 may first be stretched taut by hand over the chase and tacked to the several adjusting bars and then the nal stretching .of the film effected individually on all four sides of the frame by adjusting the wedges 8l.

In order that the chase ,may be utilized with the .combination layout-register-printing element-holding frame A, the chase is provided withthe register dowel openings 49, hereinbefore referred to.

When the work top of the frame A is utilized as a layout table, as indicated-in Figures 9, 10 and 1l, one` or more T squares `4t are employed as there shown. For squaring margins and cutting masking paper, the cutters shown in said iigures may be employed. Each of said cutters comprises a block 85 slidable on the arm of the l square, said block having a knob 86 to facilitate moving the same back and forth on the T square, as will be understood. Pivotally mounted on one side of the block 85 is an arm 81 having a cutter disk 83 pivoted thereto, said arm being spring influenced downwardly by the spring 89. A. bracket 9D is secured to the arm 81, said bracket overlying the cutter and preferably having a wood or other relatively soft material insert 9i on the inside thereof so as to enable the operator to Y press the cutter down while moving the same back and forth.

As will be apparent from Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, the two holding frames A and B are adapted to be positioned horizontally so as to enable the operator to easily place on and remove from, the printing element or lm and the sensitized element or press plate. When doing ordinary work not requiring the use of the lm frame, the operator after placing the press plate in position on the rubber blanket of the frame B while the latter is in its horizontal work position, may thenl locate a negative or lm over the press plate while the latter is face up and then swing the other frame A over onto the frame B and lock the two together. The two frames, thus locked, may then be swung up to vertical position and latched to the main support and the vacuum` applied or, the vacuum may ybe applied prior to swinging the two frames up to vertical positionto insure retaining the negative and press plate securely together without danger of relative slippage. Y Where the-nlm frame or chase C is being employed, it will be placed on the holding frame when the latter is in the position shown in Figure 3 and the press plate secured on the holding frame B while the latter is in its horizontal position. Both the frames are then swung up to to making the exposure.

vertical position and latched and locked together and the vacuum thereupon applied preparatory.l

reverse procedure of'thatiirst described maybe employed, that is, byplacing the negativeon v thefframe A and then swingingthe frame Bwith the press plate attached thereto :up through the Obviously, also, the V vertical and then down `horizontally vonto the frame A andlocked tothe latter. u The operator is thus allowed tousethe apparatus in the manner best suited for the particular type of work in hand.

Additional features of theimproved apparatus and manner of using the same are found in the following. For the preparation of an ordinary layout sheet to be used only once, the sheet 92 may be taped down on the Work top of the frame A as shown in Figure 9. With the aid of the T square in conjunction with the straight edges of the frame A, the layout obviously can readily be drawn on the sheet. With the layout sheet still in place on the worky top of the frame, the

register chase C may then be placed over the4 work top in register position by means of the register dowels or pins 48 and cooperable dowel holes 49 with the acetate film of the chase directly superimposed on the layout sheet. Such negative lms as it is then desired or necessary to apply, are applied to the lrn 18, it being evident'that the same may be applied in exact register governed by the layout sheet therebeneath, each negative being placed in its corresponding position called for by the layout sheet.

In the case of multiple exposures or when combining type matter and half tones, a layout sheet such as 55 is prepared with the register holes by means of the jigs Ell. After the layout has been drawn thereon, the negative films` which it isfirst desired to print from, are applied to the acetate lm 18 of the chase which has been placed on the work top of the frame A in registered position, as will be understood. Such masking paper as may be required is then applied to the acetate film and taped down, after which the chase and the layout sheet are removed and the chase replaced with assured registered location of the negatives. Exposure is then made, after which the layout sheet 55 is'replaced and the additional films applied to another acetate sheet 18 of the same or another register chase and the steps repeated for a second exposure, again with assured registered location of the negatives with respect to the layout called for.

tep and repeat work may also be carried out in a very simple manner by the register chase. With 4the layout sheet in place, the negative of the chase in one of its positions and an exposure made in the usual manner. By rotating the chase in its plane and again registering it on the holding frame A, a second exposure may be made. After the second exposure, by replacing the layout sheet and applying the negative lm to the acetate film in a second position, two more exposures may be made in a similar manner and so on for the desired number of repeat images.

. As hereinbefore indicated, while Figures 9 and l2 indicate plan -views of the work top of the printing element holder A, said figures are also clearly representative of what may be a separate layout and register tableof identical character. While the preparation of layout sheets and registering of negative films on the acetate film of the chase, may be carried out on` the frame A as hereinbeforey described, ordinarily a separate layout and register table of the character referred to will preferably be employed so as to utilize the printing apparatus proper to its maximum capacity by preparing the layouts and chase films on a separate apparatus. Where a separate layout and register table is employed, the same may have the glass work top thereof additionally provided with master register lines, as indicated by the dotted lines 95 and 96 in Figure 9 inscribed thereon at exact right angles to each other and intersecting at the center of the glass with the horizontal line 96 exactly in line with the centers of the register dowel pins 48 to thus coordinate said register lines with the travel lines of a photo composer. With master register lines on a separate layout and register table, such table may be employed in applying the usual register marks, generally in the form of small crosses to fllms or negtives, as will be understood.

With the improved apparatus herein shown and described in conjunction with the register chase, it is possible to carry out a single system for the production of offset press plates for either single color or multiple color work and, also, type and half tones may be combined on the same press plate by double exposures, entirely eliminating the usual stripping and combining of negatives heretofore deemed necessary in offset plate making. Various other advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art.

Although there has herein been shown and described what is now considered the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, the same is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. All changes and modifications are contemplated that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a supporting vframework including a pair of spaced uprights; of a pair of holding frames; means pvotally attaching said frames to said framework to swing about a fixed and common horizontal axis, each of said frames being movable, independently of the other, from a substantially horizontal position at one side of the uprights, between the uprights, and to a substantially horizontal position on the opposite side thereof; means providing an air seal between said frames when in face to face relation; and means for exhaustingair from between said frames, one of said frames being provided with register devices for detachably receiving a register-coordinated fllm chase thereon.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a. frame having a transparent flat surface back for supporting a film, said frame having also a shelf located outwardly of and extending around said supporting surface, said shelf being depressed below the level of the supporting surface for a depth corresponding substantially to the thickness of a film-holding chase adapted to be positloned thereon; fixed .physical register devices on Said frame cooperable with complemental physical register devices of a register-coordinated chase; a second frame having a supporting backing wall; a support; and means pvotally attaching each of said frames to said support, said frames being pvotally movable to and from face to face position and, when in face to face position, always occupying the same position relative one to the other.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with two frames, one having a transparent fiat supporting surface to allow transmission of light therethrough and the other an opposed opaque supporting surface when the two frames are in face to face position; of means for locking said two frames in face to face position always in the same relation to each other, the frame with the transparent supporting surface, having a shelf depressed below its supporting sur face an amount corresponding substantially to the thickness of a film chase which is adapted tobe used in conjunction therewith; register devices on said shelf cooperable with coordinated-register devices of a film chase; and means, on the other of said frames, cooperable with a film chase when the latter is mounted in registered position in the apparatus, to provide an air seal around said supporting surfaces when locked in face to face position whereby air may be exhausted from between said surfaces.

4. In a photographic printing apparatus, the combination with a support; of two frames pivotally mounted on said support to swing about a common and fixed axis and to and from face to face'position, each of said frames being independently swingable about its pivot to a substantially horizontal position with its work face uppermost and accessible, one of said frames having a flat, transparent and the other an opaque backing wall, the frames with the transparent backing wall being provided with a supporting shelf outside of and depressed below the surface of its backing wall and having also register devices, said depressed supporting shelf being adapted to accommodate a film chase between the two frames when the latter are locked in face to face relation; means providing an air seal between a film chase mounted4 in the apparatus and the frame opposed thereto when the two frames are locked in face to face relation; and means for exhausting air from within the sealed area.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support; of a printingelement holding frame pvotally attached to said support, said frame having a transparent backing wall and a supporting ledge therearound depressed below the surface of said backing wall, said frame being provided with register devices for registering a chase placed on said supporting ledge; a sensitized element holding frame also pvotally attached to said support to swing about the same axis as that of the first named frame whereby the two frames may be swungto and from face to face position, said sensitized element holding frame having a flexible backing wall and yieldable supporting means therefor, said frame being provided also with an air sealing element adapted to engage a chase when the latter is mounted on said supporting ledge and the two frames are brought in face to face position, to thereby provide a sealed-olf area, said sensitized element holding frame having an air discharge passage communicating with said area..

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a printing element holding frame having a transparent fiat backing wall and a supporting ledge located outwardly of and depressed below the surface of said backing wall, said frame being provided with registering means in said supporting ledge for the detachable reception, in registered-position, of a lm chase having cooperable complemental registering means, said cooperable sets of means being of male and female formation, said frame being provided also with separate additional means for detachably retaining, always in the same position, a layout sheet positioned on said fiat backing wall whereby said frame is adapted to support, simultaneously. a layout sheet and a superposed film chase in predetermined relation.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support; of a printingelement holding frame pivotally attached to said support, said frame having a transparent backing wall and a supporting ledge therearound fixedly disposed below the surface of said backing wall, said frame being provided with register devices for registering a chase placed on said supporting ledge; a sensitized-element holding frame also pivotally attached to said support to swing about the same axis as that of the rst named frame, whereby thel two frames may be swung to and from face to face position, said sensitizedelement holding frame having a exible backing wall and provided also with an air sealing element adapted to engage a chase when the latter is mounted on said supporting ledge and the two frames are brought in face to face position, to thereby provide a sealed oif area, one ofv said frames having also an air discharge passage comthe combination with two frames, one having a transparent flat supporting surface to allow transmission of light therethrough and the other an opposed opaque supporting surface when the two frames are in face to face position; of means for locking said'two frames in face to face position always in the same relation to each other, register dowel pins onl one of said frames adapted to detachably receive a film chase having cooperable register dowel openings thereon; an air sealing gasket on the other of said frames and located thereon to engage a illm chase when registered on that frame having the register dowel pins and when the two frames are in locked face to face position, said sealing gasket cooperating with'the lm chase and lm carried thereby to provide a sealed off area; one of said frames being provided also with an air discharge passage communicating with said area.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a support; of `a printingelement holding frame movably connected to said being providedv additionally, inwardly of said' register pins, with means for detachably securing a layout sheet on said transparent backing wall; a sensitized-element holding frame 'also movably mounted on said support and adapted to be brought in face to face relation with said printing-element frame; means providing an air seal between said two frames when in face to face relation; and means for exhausting air from within the sealed off area.

' 10. A photographic printing apparatus comprising: a supporting framework including a pair of spaced uprights; sensitized-element and printing-element holding frames; common pivot means attaching said frames to said framework whereby each of said frames, independently of the other, is movable from a substantially horizontal position at one side of the uprights to a substantially horizontal position on the opposite side thereof; said printing-element holder having a transparent backing wall and a supporting ledge'therearound, said ledge being ilxed with respect to said supporting surface and depressed therebelow, said ledge being provided with register dowel pins for the reception thereon of a film holding chase having cooperable register dowel openings; said printing-element holding .frame being provided with a exible backing wall and an air sealing gasket therearound adapted to engage a nlm chase when the latter is registered on the printing-element holding frame and the two frames vare in face to face relation and thereby provide a sealed on area; and means for exhausting air from said sealed oif area.

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER. 

